Release Engagement Practitioner for ReConnect

LSCft; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) is seeking a Release Engagement Practitioner for ReConnect to join the new Care after Custody service. The role covers six prisons and the wider community in Lancashire and Cumbria, with hybrid working and a focus on ensuring smooth transition to community health and care services prior to release.

You will triage, assess, refer and support individuals before release and up to six months post-release, working with Reconnect and support

Qualifications

• Diploma in Health and/or Social Care or equivalent experience.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working with adults with vulnerabilities such as learning disabilities, substance misuse or mental health needs.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Diploma in Health and/or Social Care

Job description

Release Engagement Practitioner for ReConnect

Band 4

Main area Mental Health Grade Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 351-BAY1091-ZK-A

Site Workington Police Station Town Preston Salary £28,392 - £31,157 Per Annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/10/2026 23:59

Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism, community, and physical health services for the populations we serve.

As an integrated Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) delivers a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults, including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, and forensic services with low and medium secure care.
• Specialist mental health inpatient care for individuals with learning disabilities, alongside specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
• Extensive community physical health and well-being services for children and adults, covering prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term condition management.

The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,500 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health, general nurses, children's nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers, as well as those specialising in learning disabilities and community physical health services.

***Please Note*** This vacancy is located in the West Cumbria area.

The post holder will work within a newly established service, Reconnect Care after Custody for Lancashire and Cumbria, covering 6 prisons and also the wider community of Lancashire and Cumbria.

Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral and support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to a Reconnect practitioners and support practitioners, helping them to make the transition to community-based services that will provide the health and care support that they need. It is offered to people in prison up to 12 weeks prior to release, and up to 6 months support post release.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work within the Reconnect Care after Custody service for Lancashire and Cumbria, covering 6 prisons and the wider community of Lancashire and Cumbria. Reconnect is a triage, assessment, referral and support service and starts working with people before they leave prison, where they will have access to a Reconnect practitioners and support practitioners, helping them to make the transition to community-based services that will provide the health and care support that they need. It is offered to people in prison up to 3 months prior to release, and up to 6 months support post release.

Please note that hybrid working is necessary due to the area of coverage involving some working from home and utilising other trust sites as a bases as required.

Working for our organisation

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.

The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information about the role please review the attached job description and person specification.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Diploma in Health and/or Social Care or equivalent experience

Knowledge

• Required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional healthcare assistant or support worker.
• Require factual and theoretical knowledge in broad contexts within their field of work.
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.

Experience

• Previous experience of working with adults with vulnerabilities e.g. learning disabilities, substance misuse, mental health
• Experience of direct patient care and working with people with complex needs

For all posts which require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check please be aware of the Disclosure and Barring Service Code of Practice, a copy of which is available by logging on to the DBS website. If the post is subject to DBS disclosure, a charge will be made to the successful candidate(s).

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. You are therefore advised to consider applying for this vacancy as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.